Free Tdap vaccine clinic at Howard Hills Sports Complex

Moberly, Mo. — Members of the public can receive the Tdap vaccine for free during a vaccination clinic on Wednesday, July 17, at the Howard Hills Sports Complex, located on Hwy. 24.

Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a highly contagious and sometimes fatal bacterial disease which has increased alarmingly in the past decade. To help provide protection, the Randolph County Health Department in partnership with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and Moberly Parks and Recreation are offering a free clinic on Wednesday, July 17th starting at 5:50pm. Members of the public will be able to receive FREE Tdap vaccine during this clinic. This FREE vaccine is available for anyone 11 years of age and older, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.

The Tdap vaccine is a three-in-one vaccination that protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough). It is a common and effective vaccine, and one that children are required to have–for school enrollment in Missouri. A 2010 change in state law requires students entering 8th grade to have a Tdap booster. Healthcare officials are particularly concerned with protecting the public against pertussis given recent increases in pertussis cases. As of January 10, 2013, 49 states and Washington, D.C. reported increases in disease in 2012 compared with 2011.

The CDC also recommends the Tdap vaccine for all adults age 19 and older who have never received the vaccine, especially:

• Health care workers who have direct contact with patients

• Caregivers of infants under 1 year old, including parents, grandparents, and babysitters

• Pregnant women in their third trimester (ideally 27th through 36th week), even if they have previously received Tdap vaccine; this can protect a newborn from whooping cough in the first months of life.

• New mothers who have never received the Tdap

• People who travel to countries where pertussis is common

Public health officials urge the public to take advantage of this opportunity to receive this very important protection. The Tdap vaccine is free, there are no restrictions on who can receive the vaccine, other than conditions discovered in a health screening that will be asked of everyone seeking the vaccine.

For more information on the Tdap vaccination, please feel free to contact the Randolph county Health Department at (660) 263-6643.